Can you help with our research into Cancer Care for the Armed Forces Community?

HWLincs are researching cancer care in the Armed Forces Community – if you are able to, please complete our survey to assist with our research.

In recent years, HWLincs undertook a piece of engagement work which resulted in the development of a dedicated resource designed to help those affected by cancer, allowing them to easily access relevant information, services, and support available across Lincolnshire.

We are now moving to target support specifically towards people living with or beyond cancer within the Armed Forces Community; this includes serving personnel, veterans, and their families.  

In the first phase of this work, we wish to consult with those who have lived experience of managing a cancer diagnosis within a Forces setting, so we have launched a survey and invite feedback from anyone who would care to contribute. 

What do we want to find out? 

We understand that sometimes some members of the community experience issues around the assistance they are entitled to receive; this was a theme we noted in some of our other engagement work, including our Hidden Voices research with The Armed Forces Covenant Fund.  

We are creating a resource to help the Armed Forces Community access the information and support they require, whilst mitigating the barriers some have encountered when needing to seek help.  

This survey is an important part of that process. By completing it, you will help us understand:  

• What information and support is currently received  

• What information was most useful  

• How information could be improved – including the content, format, timing, or the way in which it is shared   

We particularly want to understand the specific support the Armed Forces Community would find useful during this time. 

The survey takes around 10–15 minutes to complete. 

Why your help is important 

Cancer does not discriminate – 1 in 2 of us will likely receive a diagnosis in our lifetime. Cancer does not care about who relies upon us, the work we do, or whether we have support networks available.  

Our other projects focused on the Armed Forces Community have led us to understand that sometimes there can be a lack of awareness around support that is available, something that is particularly important when negotiating a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes this is due to geographic isolation, being distant from services and support, whilst sometimes a reluctance to be seen to be asking for help can prevent people from engaging with organisations best-placed to assist them. 

We intend for this engagement work to lead to the creation of resources and services that allow members of the community to get the cancer support they need, when they need it the most and without fear of judgement.  

How you can help us reach Lincolnshire Armed Forces people 

We would really appreciate your support in sharing the survey with your Lincolnshire networks. 

Please consider sharing it with your service users, patients, carers, community groups, volunteers, colleagues, newsletters and social media networks. Even if you are not directly involved with The Armed Forces, you may be connected to people who either are serving currently or have done so previously, or have family members in that situation. 

Privacy and Data Security 

Responses will be handled securely. People do not have to answer any question they do not wish to answer. Anonymous quotes may be used in reporting, but identifying details will be removed. 

For more information about this project, please contact enquiries@hwlincs.co.uk